Reward For Info On Missing Gay Man Increased To $250,000
Image: Simon Knight
It鈥檚 been over 15 years since Simon Knight first went missing after spending the night at the City Crown Motel where he was last seen on July 21, 2005. Simon was a gay man living in Sydney at the time of his disappearance and did not arrive for his shift at a caf茅 in Newtown later that day. On Friday November 6, 2020 the New South Wales Police announced that they would be increasing the previous reward of $100,000 to $250,000.
South Sydney Police Area Commander, Superintendent Andrew Holland informed Star Observer that 鈥渢he idea behind increasing the reward is to generate interest in an investigation we鈥檝e hit a roadblock in.”
“Simon, from all reports, was a member of the gay community who was well liked,鈥� Superintendent Holland told Start Observer before stating that there were 鈥渘o obvious signs that there were any thoughts of self-harm. It鈥檚 really concerning… He just appears to have dropped from the planet.鈥�
Bob Knight, Simon鈥檚 father, spoke with Star Observer about how Simon was well liked and happy. 鈥淗is nickname was smiley at school鈥�, Mr Knight stated.
Simon鈥檚 mother Robyn Conlan told Star Observer that 鈥淗e [Simon] was very generous, in so so many ways鈥� and that 鈥淚 miss him鈥� incredibly.”
“He was an avid reader鈥� she stated, and recalled taking him to see plays when Simon was younger. 鈥淗e was very bright鈥� Ms Conlan said fondly. Simon was looking at changing career at the time of his disappearance, as he had 鈥渁lways loved horticulture鈥� according to Mr Knight.
听Both Ms Conlan and Mr Knight stated that they no longer believe Simon is still alive, despite the investigation continuing as a missing persons case. Mr Knight stated that after a second coronial inquest into Simon鈥檚 disappearance in 2015, it was concluded that Simon had probably died, and a death certificate was issued the next year.
Mr Knight told Star Observer his son had come home from work one day 鈥渃hanged鈥� before he 鈥渏umped on his bike鈥� then stayed at the City Crown Motel, after which he went missing the next day.
Despite this, Superintendent Holland has stated that the case is still being treated as a missing persons case. Superintendent Holland informed Star Observer that there was 鈥渘othing unusual about his [Simon Knight鈥檚] life. He appeared to have a happy and normal life up to the point that he disappeared.鈥� Superintendent Holland is hopeful that increasing the reward for information about Simon’s disappearance will prompt people 鈥渢o cast their minds back to 2005… people that frequent that area may remember something.鈥�
鈥淚f my child disappeared, I鈥檇 be distraught,鈥� Superintendent Holland stated. 鈥淚t would be nice to give his parents some closure/鈥�
Ms Conlan informed Star Observer that both she and Mr Knight 鈥渨ere really pleased鈥� that the reward was increased. She stated that her son was well known in the Sydney area, and is hopeful that somebody can come forward with information.
At the time of his disappearance, Simon was described, , 鈥渁s being of Caucasian appearance, 183cm tall, with blue eyes, a fair complexion, red hair and facial hair.鈥� According to NSW Police, Simon was wearing a dark green t-shirt and blue jeans when he was last seen.
Anyone with information can contact South Sydney Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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